Paul Robeson Centennial Celebration
Resources About Paul Robeson (1898-1976)

PLAYS and PERFORMANCES

Written by: Philip Hayes Dean

Acted by: Warren C. Bowles

Originally performed by James Earl Jones and then Avery Brooks. This is an excellent version of the original play and is available for travel.

For Information contact:

A new play for children has been written by Ossie Davis.
Theatreworks/USA, the nation's preeminent professional theatre for young and family audiences, has commissioned Ossie Davis to write a play for young audiences about Paul Robeson. The play will premiere on the centennial of Robeson's birth, this spring (1998) in New Jersey, and will continue touring next season.
For information on the play, or on bringing the play to your community, contact:
Ken Arthur, Theatreworks/USA Associate Managing Director
tel: 212-647-1100
email: karthur@theatreworksusa.org
Theaterworks/USA
151 W 26th Street
New York NY 10001
212-677-5959
Charles Hull, Managing Director

Remembering Paul Robeson
A choral reading by Rev. Nancy Haley. Written for the 99th Robeson Birthday Celebration for a church that has had Robeson Celebrations for over 15 years!
Reading involves a pianist and 5 voices. Performance is divided into 4 sections: I The Early Years, II Fame and Fortune, III The Politics of persecution, IV The Final Years. Eleven pages.
Single copies available: Third Unitarian Church, 301 N. Mayfield, Chicago, IL 60644

Paul Robeson
Paul Robeson. written by: Paula Rogovin is a play written for first graders by a classroom teacher. Excellent seven page introduction aids teachers in the introducing of Robeson to students.
Available through Paul Robeson 100th Birthday Committee, Contribution of $5 includes postage.

Prisms in the Looking Glass
Book, Music and Lyrics written by Arthur Sherman. © Copyright 1993
This is a musical about Paul Robeson and Josephine Baker. The author is looking for a company to produce it, either to produce the full musical, or to do readings of the piece. Here is what the author says about the play:
Prisms in the Looking Glass is the history of the plight of African Americans in the United States early in the twentieth century as told through the experiences of two great artist personalities, one of whom, Paul Robeson, became an important activist and conscience of America.
Paul Robeson and Josephine Baker found the honor and celebrity in Europe they should have had in the United States. The romance between them is fictitious yet it afforded me the opportunity to tell their parallel stories in the context of actual historical events.
For information contact:
Arthur Sherman
315 W. 57th Street (15A)
New York, NY 10019-3136
Phone and Fax: (212) 757-1532

Paul's Song -- a play for 3 high school performers
Written by: Sparky Jackendoff. "Paul's Song" is a 45 minute musical "dialogue" + slideshow for high school and college classes discussing the story of Robeson. It is set in the present, addressing issues of history and our heros. It requires 1 singer, 1 actor and one pianist and/or audiovisual person (if the audio tape of the piano score is used). The five songs are original and come with piano scores in two keys. Included is a practice tape and a set of in-class workshops to bring the "stage discussion" into the classroom. Aimed at a History or Language Arts curriculum. The play was developed for college theatre majors to perform in local highschools. Works well as a "reading," (only the songs need any real rehearsing). Could be a great project for a couple talented students. A 1930's-looking 11x17 poster also available for "real" productions. For classroom production it requires putting together the "slideshow" on videotape from available library books. For a stage production these should be slides.

To cover cost of postage, tape, color poster, score, and 3.5" floppy with script & workshop, send $10 to Sparky Jackendoff, 54 N.Cedar Ave. Maple Shade, NJ 08052

Ballad for Americans -- a project of the American Music Theater Festival

Paul Robeson

Shipping Dock Theatre, 3690 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14618; 716-385-8400

written by Phillip Hayes Dean. The production is available to travel. It was performed October 3-26, 1997, directed by Barbara K. Biddy, with Benjamin Banks playing Paul Robeson, on the campus of St. John Fisher College.

Other resources: EVENTS/EXHIBITS BOOKS ARTICLES COLLECTIONS MUSIC&RECORDINGS FILMs&VIDEOs PHOTOS POSTERS... PLAYS SPORTS QUOTES SCHOOLS INSTITUTIONS CITIES OTHER HELP? Return to the Robeson Centennial home page

Paul Robeson Centennial Celebration: E-mail to: robeson.centennial@pobox.com; (please also include your postal address); Web site: http://pobox.com/~robeson/

Paul Robeson Centennial Celebration Resources About Paul Robeson (1898-1976)

PLAYS and PERFORMANCES

Paul Robeson Centennial Celebration
Resources About Paul Robeson (1898-1976)